So today started with much promise, we were excited to explore downtown atlanta, including the olympic park and fernbank science museum. We get downtown, initially excited to find $5 parking across from the park. We trek the relatively short walk to the park, at which time the kids need to take a break from the heat (see picture). It is hot hot hot close to 100 degrees today. Just walk a little further, we promise there is a children's area nearby... oh wait that's blocked off for renovation. Ok fine, just walk a bit further and we promise there will be a great show at the olympic rings... Oh what? They are closed today for maintenance too?

We head back to the car, grateful for air conditioning. We cross the city to the Fernabank Musuem of Natural History. Max is excited to take his picture with the dinosaur outside. We enter, expecting our Membership to the Boston Science Museum to be accepted as part of their reciprocal agreement

. Oh No, they explain, you are allowed entrance to the Fernbank Science Center, down the road. "People always get the two places confused" the lady explains. Gee I wonder why?? Back into the car! We find our way to the correct location, at which the receptionist explains it is always free there, go figure. So we take the kids around the tiny science center, which did have a few interesting things they enjoyed.

Walking back to the car, we announce our biggest surprise of the day. Who wants to go back to the hotel pool? Cheers all around :) As our hotel caters to mostly business, we had the outdoor pool to ourselves for several hours of swimming.

Our enthusiasm rejuvenated, we decide to head over to Stone Mountain Park. Stone Mountain is quite a site, a mountain with a smooth stone face containing a confederate carving. Mountain here means "slightly larger than a hill". We originally planned hiking with the kids, but quickly realized that heat, tired children, and a steep hike was a combination we would like to avoid. Fortunately Stone Mountain did have a very nice children's playground we were able to visit. The park is approximately five miles around, with many activities and attractions, but since it was evening we were unable to explore it all

We were able to enjoy the Laser Show Spectacular. We brought blankets and stretched out on the huge sloped lawn facing the mountain. It was very festive, with some seventies tunes playing (the confederates were known for their love of disco). When darkness fell, we watched a laser montage of stories projected onto the stone mountain, complete with firework effects.

So overall the day was not a loss. Road Trip tip: Be ready to change your plans!